Empoword

Part Three: Research and Argumentation 290 Politics Sports Social Justice Science and Technology Music and Art The Environment and Sustainability Food Other Cultures and Nations Health and Disease Education Business and Economy On your first sheet of three-column paper, write those three topic headings. Next, underneath each topic heading, write bulleted lists of as many subtopics or related ideas that come to mind that interest you. (Try not to censor yourself here—the idea is to generate a large number of bullet points. To some extent, this is an exercise in free association: what are the first things that come to mind when you think of each topic?) Spend ten to fifteen minutes on your lists. Then, take a five-minute break away from your lists and clear your head; return to your lists for three more minutes to make any additions that you didn’t think of at first. Read over your lists, making note especially of items that surprised you. Choose the three items from the full page that most interest you. You can choose one from each column, three from the same, or any combination of lists, so long as you have three items that you care about.